How many times have you turned on the radio and come to a song that just begged for the rest of the story? It’s always been said that there’s a story behind every song and that music inspires.

Well, inspiration comes in many forms. And even the song writer had to have been inspired to write his music. But, what possessed them to write that line or tell that story? While we can’t get their point of view on what works, we welcome yours in this creative bent on lyrics.

We’ll offer you a verse from a song (all credit given where credit is due), and it may or may not be something you recognize. What we’d like to see is your story behind that verse. What do you think happened to have those lines so poignantly written?

Today’s verse comes from We Shall be Free performed by Garth Brooks:

When the last thing we notice is the color of skin
And the first thing we look for is the beauty within
When the skies and the oceans are clean again
Then we shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud
‘Cause we shall be free
When we’re free to love anyone we choose
When this world’s big enough for all different views
When we all can worship from our own kind of pew
Then we shall be free
We shall be free

Here’s an exercise to get your thoughts moving. Pick a number (it has to be equal to or greater than 5) and write down something having to do with Spring that matches each number in quantity.
If you’d like to see an example, take a look at the Gratitude Countdown.

An inspiration tag is just a phrase or two meant to give you a jumpstart on your creative expression. So read the tag below and interpret it in a creative way. There are no limitations on the medium. In fact we’d love to see a visual or listen to an audio interpretation. Admittedly, some of the tags will lend themselves more to a written format than any other. So here it is - Tag! You’re It! Have fun!

S/He sat at the table, stitching together the bits and pieces of many stories.

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Book”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Here’s this week’s Say What?

“Sometimes the appropriate response to reality is to go insane.”

–Philip K. Dick

How many times have you turned on the radio and come to a song that just begged for the rest of the story? It’s always been said that there’s a story behind every song and that music inspires.

Well, inspiration comes in many forms. And even the song writer had to have been inspired to write his music. But, what possessed them to write that line or tell that story? While we can’t get their point of view on what works, we welcome yours in this creative bent on lyrics.

We’ll offer you a verse from a song (all credit given where credit is due), and it may or may not be something you recognize. What we’d like to see is your story behind that verse. What do you think happened to have those lines so poignantly written?

Today’s verse comes from I Want Love written & performed by Elton John:

I can’t love, shot full of holes
Don’t feel nothing, I just feel cold
Don’t feel nothing, just old scars
Toughening up around my heart

But I want love, just a different kind
I want love, won’t break me down
Won’t brick me up, won’t fence me in
I want a love, that don’t mean a thing
That’s the love I want, I want love

Here’s a simple, but not necessarily easy exercise to expand your creativity and attention. For each letter of the alphabet, come up with a make or model of automobile.
Can you complete the list without looking at an online database? How many can your friends come up with? Which letter was the most difficult to find?
Which letters spawned mini-lists? How many are in your collection? How many bring back memories?

I thought we’d change things up a little and point you in the direction of some other sites on the ‘net that might inspire you. So here’s some link love for sites we’re frequenting.

1. FicLits - This is a pretty new site. Here you can read and post short stories (short being 1024 characters or less). In addition, you can add to the stories that other members have posted. It’s reminiscent, in some ways, of the old choose-your-own-adventure stories but you get the chance to write a segment or two.

2. BlogCarnival - This is a site that indexes blog carnivals (where one blog hosts links to themed posts on other other blogs during a stated time period). There are lots of carnivals listed under Arts & Entertainment, Hobbies, and Writing. So far, there are few to be found that directly relate to creativity, but there are definitely some good resources there.

3. Time Well Wasted - This is a new venture by our own GeminiFatCat. Having an extensive collection of DVD’s, CD’s and an appetite for good stories, Gemini posts a review each workday. You won’t find current releases here very often. Instead she hopes to bring some older and possibly overlooked movies, music, books and such to your attention.

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Edit”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Here’s this week’s Say What?

“You’re never too old to become younger.”

–Mae West